The people took Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to Abu Bakr and made him sit before him.[1] At that moment Umar stood behind him holding a sword to his neck. Khalid ibne Waleed, Abu Obaydah bin Jarrah, Saalem Maula Abu Huzayfah, Ma’az bin Jabal Mughayrah bin Shoaybah, Aseed ibne Saeed and some other companions were gathered there with their arms.
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said, How soon have you attacked the house of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). O Abu Bakr! On the basis of which right, on the basis of which inheritance or which merit are you seeking allegiance from the people. Did you not, on the order of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), give bay’at to me and acknowledge my wilayat and leadership?[2] At this, Umar sat on Hazrat Ali’s (a.s.) thigh and held him tight with both hands.[3] He shook Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and said, “Leave all this aside and just do bay’at. ” Hazrat Ali (a.s.) challenged him saying, “and if I do not agree to give bay’at? ” They said, “We will kill you with utmost disgrace and humiliation.” Some narrations attribute this statement to Abu Bakr and others to Umar – “We swear by La ilaha illallah, we will sever your head.”
